PRAIRIE POST
May 14, 2021
Message from the Principal
Hello Prairie Friends & Families,
I couldn't be more proud of our Prairie community this week. As many of you know, we made some quick adjustments on Thursday morning before school based on items that came out of the school board meeting from Wednesday night. THANK YOU to our students. While teaching certainly comes with its fair share of challenges, it also comes with a daily opportunity to be surrounded by the most resilient, flexible, empathetic, remarkable little humans. They continue to impress us every single day. THANK YOU to our families. You play such a vital role in our school community. Thank you for supporting your children as you make decisions around what is best for your families. Having school-aged children during a pandemic is no small task and you all have navigated it with such grace. THANK YOU to our staff. Our teachers are masterful when it comes to ensuring that all learners feel a sense of belonging. Please know that we respect your family's decisions, we are committed to ensuring that other students respect your family's decisions, and mask or no mask, we will continue to engage your child in the highest quality learning experiences here at Prairie.
Here is a summary of those changes and mitigation strategies that will continue:
- Masks are now optional for students, staff, and anyone else on school grounds.
- Temperature checks will no longer be done upon entry. We will continue to greet students at their assigned doors between 8:30am and 8:40am. We love getting to welcome each individual student into school every morning.
- Plexiglas dividers will stay in place. We have plexiglas dividers on our tables where students sit across from or right next to one another. In most cases, the plexiglas has turned into a nametag holder and noteboard. We even have some students who keep pictures that are special to them on the board. The students have turned the barriers into a personal desk space.
- Based on our schedule and supervision, grades 2-5 will be able to play within their grade levels at recess - this is a change. Grades 4K-1 will still be able to play with the students in their classes. Classes in grades 4K and K are outside at their own times to use the kindergarten play area. Our first-grade learners rotate by class between the kindergarten play area and the older student play area. They will stay within their classes so that we can provide the proper supervision.
- The facilities managers are arranging for bubblers to be turned back on.
- Field trips are now allowed. We do not have any field trips planned for the remainder of the year.
- Our cleaning efforts will continue. Our classrooms are still disinfected every evening and tables are washed down before and after eating. We still make time to wash our hands as a part of our daily routines.
- Visitors are still not allowed in the buildings and we have no events scheduled through the end of the year that previously required attendance limits. Our 5th-grade team, along with some parent volunteers, are making plans for our 5th-grade celebration to be a drive-through event.
With 17 days of school left, we will not change other routines at this point and time. Anytime a change in schedule or routine occurs at the elementary level, this can cause anxiety with children and it requires time away from instruction for learning and coaching around the new expectations. We want to spend these last days of school learning and enjoying our time together!
SHHHH... the kids don't know... but we are excited to announce that we will have our second Science & Engineering Day at Prairie this year! This event was a huge hit last year and many learners have been asking if it will happen again. While it will look a bit different this year, it will still be a day full of fun and learning. Science & Engineering Day is scheduled for Friday, June 4th. 4K will engage in the challenges on Thursday, June 3rd. We are making arrangements for our virtual students to participate in this event! Virtual students can pick up their supplies June 1st through June 3rd from 9am-3pm. We will share a schedule for virtual students where we live stream the challenges for our virtual students to join in.
We are also in the midst of planning for field day on the last day of school! This was event was greatly missed last year and we are excited to hold the event this year. Each classroom will rotate through a series of outdoor games. There will also be popsicles and an outdoor lunch. We are not able to have volunteers for field day this year, but we have been able to schedule creatively to facilitate the same number of rotations as we've had in years past. Shout out to Mr. Booth for all of his planning for field day!
It's getting to be that time of year where we begin to plan for next year! As I mentioned above, we greatly appreciate the support we receive from all of our families. We know that you are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to your children. If you are interested in providing any feedback for us about how your child learns best to inform our decisions about class placements, please complete this form: Parent/Guardian Input for Student Placement. If you have more than one child that attends Prairie, please complete a separate form for each child. As you can imagine, we carefully analyze a variety of factors when developing our class lists, so your input is much appreciated!
Have a lovely weekend with your families!
We are Team Prairie!
We are stronger together!
Carly Solberg
Principal
Attention families of 5th-grade learners! Please save the date for our 5th-grade drive through celebration. More information to come soon!
Upcoming Dates
5/10-5/23: Scholastic Online Book Fair
5/28: Early Release at 1:40 p.m.
Student Library Materials Due
5/31: NO SCHOOL
PTA News
Please follow our Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest that is happening with the PTA. Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/Prairie-PTA-Go-Pumas-257860434257555
GOT SNEAKERS FUNDRAISER: Thank you to all of those who have already donated shoes to our fundraiser. As spring cleaning is starting up remember this is an ongoing fundraiser so keep searching for shoes! Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help Prairie PTA? Prairie PTA is participating in a fundraiser where you donate your shoes. All we need is your support and your gently worn, used ,or new sneakers! Here’s how you can help. Start in your and your family’s closets and gather as many pairs of sneakers that you no longer want; maybe you’ve out-grown them, they’re out of style, or out of season. If you and your household have 20 pairs, great! If not, don’t worry. You can ask your neighbors, friends, co-workers, and anyone in your social networks to help out. Every pair counts! The sneakers that we all collect will help raise money to support Prairie PTA AND will help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills.
AMAZON SMILE: Our PTA also participates in the Amazon Smile program. Connect your Amazon purchases to automatically donate a percentage of your purchase back to Prairie Elementary. Sign up at: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-1461747
SCRIP GIFT CARDS: While e-gift cards in your wallet are convenient, you now have the option to order physical gift cards delivered directly to your home for all your gifting needs through the Raise Right/Shop with Scrip fundraising program. Select from 250+ brands, including top sellers like Amazon.com, The Home Depot®, and Walmart. Contact Sarah Paczesny at sarahpaczesny@gmail.com to sign up for the program today!
Scholastic Online Book Fair from May 10-May 23
Prairie’s online Scholastic Book Fair is now OPEN! Let’s share the joy of books with our Prairie Pumas and keep them reading all summer long! Free shipping on book-only purchases over $25. All orders ship direct to home. The Book Fair ends May 23, so find that perfect summer book now. Every purchase supports our school. Visit our homepage to start the fun: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/prairieelementaryschool4
Parenting to Prevent Substance Abuse
School Messenger - Opt in for Text Messages
This is helpful for us in the event of notifying parents of a classroom quarantine or school emergency.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.
School Lunches Free until 6/9/2021
Waukesha County Covid Testing
Emergency Internet Benefit
Below is information on an Emergency Broadband Benefit that will help families who qualify reduce their internet costs at home.
This program is direct to the consumer and will requires the families to apply for the benefit.
Bi-Weekly Science Newsletter
School Counseling Newsletter
Student Services Update
Early Pick Up for Students
Dropping off Supplies
School Fees
School/Community Activities
All school and community activities are now being posted on the Waukesha School District and Prairie Elementary School home page via the "Peachtree/flyer" link on the left side.
Prairie Elementary School
Email: vanderso@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: www.waukeshaschools.com/prairie
Location: 1801 Center Road, Waukesha, WI, United States
Phone: 262-970-2205